ISSN:
1573-5052
Keywords:
Beach vegetation
;
Caribbean Sea
;
Classification
;
Coastal sand dune
;
Community type
;
Dune vegetation
;
Embryonic dune
;
Foredune
;
Gulf of Mexico
;
Mexico
;
Ordination
;
Zonation
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract A classification is presented of community types found in the coastal sand dune systems along the Gulf coast and the Caribbean Sea of Mexico. Twenty-eight dune systems were sampled along transects using the Braun-Blanquet approach. A total of 4444 relevés were subjected to agglomerative classification and table arrangement (program TABORD). Synoptic species values were calculated for the 396 clusters obtained. They were arranged in two new data sets, one comprising the material from Tamaulipas and Veracruz and the other Yucatan and Quintana Roo. These data sets were again subjected to classification and ordination (detrended correspondence analysis) programs. Final community types are based on the basic clusters, 59 types for the Gulf area and 31 for the Caribbean. Their geographical and ecological distribution is interpreted. The description of types includes information on differential and dominant, as well as frequent accompanying species, and also on some structural characters. The results were compared with a parallel study of the central Gulf area, including Tabasco and Campeche. Six main distribution patterns of the community types were found: 1) along the coast (mostly pioneer communities), 2) northern section of the Gulf, 3) northern section of the Gulf and the Caribbean, 4) mainly restricted to the Gulf, 5) intermediate patterns within Tabasco and Campeche and 6) restricted to Yucatan and Quintana Roo. The ordinations showed both local zonation patterns directly related to dune physiography and regional patterns produced mainly by soil and climate differences. Both for the Gulf and the Caribbean material axis 1 reflects a sea-inland gradient from pioneer types towards thickets on the fixed dunes. Axis 2 shows a geographical transition from Tamaulipas to Veracruz types in the Gulf material and from Yucatan to Quintana Roo types in the Caribbean case. The Gulf types can be grouped into: 1) Tamaulipas types with species in common with Texas and the southeastern United States, (Uniola paniculata). 2) Veracruz and Tabasco types, with many thicket species in common with inland vegetation types (Randia laetevirens, Coccoloba barbadensis and Citharexylum berlandieri). The Caribbean types can be grouped into: 1) Yucatan types with species from drier habitats and characterized by the endemic Enriquebeltrania crenatifolia, Agava angustifolia and halophytes like Bravaisia tubiflora, Pithecellobium keyense and Suaeda linearis; 2) Quintana Roo types with typical Caribbean communities with Erithalis fruticosa, Coccoloba uvifera, Ernodea littoralis and the palms Pseudophoenix sargentii and Thrinax radiata.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00039908
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